[URBAN NOTE] "Taxi industry says it rejects surge pricing adopted by city council"

[rfmcdonald]

CBC News' reports on what I have to think is an effort on the part of the taxi industry in Toronto to distinguish itself, in a good way, from Uber.

An organization that represents cab companies in Toronto says its taxi drivers will not implement the surge pricing adopted by city council earlier this month because it is unfair to customers and bad for business.

City council voted on May 3 in favour of new regulations governing the taxi industry, including surge pricing on fares booked through a smartphone app.

Rita Smith, executive director of the Toronto Taxi Alliance, said Wednesday that the taxi companies "want nothing to do" with surge pricing.

"We do not consider this to be capitalism. We call it extortion," Smith told reporters on Wednesday.

Smith said surge pricing would be difficult for regular customers who set aside funds for taxis every month.